The Quidditch try-outs had been a long, exhausting process for all involved, spanning throughout November. It had been split up into many parts; the first being all hopeful's showing off their broom riding skills. All those who showed promise were given a number between 1 and 4. James was a 1, Sirius a 2 and Remus a 4, Remus was surprised to find he had a number; he'd only tried out because the others had made him. Each number was to attend a series of training practices playing in a different position depending on their number. They would then alternate positions. This took a couple of weeks but those who showed skills in a particular area were called back one last time. This time they would play in that position with the rest of the team to see how well they worked together. Everyone was told to meet up again the next night. By now it was December and the winter weather, which had set in during early November, was getting wilder and wilder. On that particular night a blizzard was starting.

A group of about 30 sat and stood shivering in the changing rooms when the two current members of the Quidditch Team arrived. A Beater, Cathy Durham, and the Captain, Tommy Sadiron.

"Right, I know its cold outside but it is important that we get this sorted before the end of term so that we can get started with practicing." Sadiron began as a still quiet descended over the group. "I want to thank you all for trying out and to tell you that you've all been great but, unfortunately, only 5 of you will be picked. A further 7 will be selected as a sub-team. Does everyone understand?"
The whole group nodded.

"Good, so the sub team are, Cathy, will you do the honours?"

Cathy smiled at the group before speaking. "Right, so -er- they position of Keeper belongs to…" She consulted the parchment in front of her before reading the names. "Frank Longbottom. First Beater – Harold Kennedy, second Beater – Matthew Ernings. First Chaser – Marie Glover, second Chaser – Remus Lupin, third Chaser – Halley Kitting. Seeker belongs to Natalie O'Connor."

Cheers went around the group and James and Sirius slapped Remus on the back in Congratulations. As quiet descended once more, Sadiron continued.

"Alight, now, if you're name isn't called then I'm afraid you haven't made the team. Please feel free to try again next year though. This years Keeper will be Sean Towson, the first Chaser, after myself of course, will be Hugh Somers and the second, Richard Wenham. This year we will also welcome two second years onto our team. Sirius Black is to be the new Beater and James Potter is the new Seeker."

More cheers erupted while those who hadn't been picked left the room almost in tears, and not for the being forced to walk through the chilling cold.

After they had gone Sadiron spoke one last time. "Practice will begin tomorrow at 7am prompt. Everybody is to attend so I suggest you get a good night sleep."

James, Sirius and Remus left the changing rooms after that, talking excitedly but, though none would admit it, feeling nervous about the next day.

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It was a good job James and Sirius were such fans of Quidditch. Sadiron insisted that all 7 members of the team practiced every morning and every night and they were to stay during the Christmas holidays to practice then, too. The reason being that there were too many new members on the team, if they didn't all start training they'd be a mess for their first Quidditch match in January. It was lucky for Remus too. He had only been selected for the sub-team and so only needed to attend practice a few times a week; this meant he was always free when the full moon approached.

The three became quite exclusive, always talking about Quidditch or discussing tactics, it pushed Peter, who hadn't got past the first stage, out.

"Are you alright?" Remus asked one day. James and Sirius had gone to the kitchens for ice cream, which Remus crazy with the cold weather, but it gave him the chance to talk to Peter who was sat alone in the common room.

Peter looked up at him with wide eyes. "Yes," he squeaked. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh I don't know." Remus said nonchalantly. "Maybe because we've been leaving you out a lot lately."
Peter sighed. "That's ok; you've got new things going in your lives. It's no big deal."

Remus nodded. "Still, it can't be fun can it?"

"Well it's not," Peter admitted. "But I've made some new friends, so I don't mind."
Remus shifted in his seat, looking at Peter with a new interest. "Oh, who?"

Peter flushed. "Anita Buckley. She's in Hufflepuff."

Remus nodded thoughtfully. "I think I know her; our year, spends time with the Slytherins, blonde, right?"

"Yes," Peter answered with a scowl, not happy that Remus knew who she was. He wanted her to be something for him alone, like the others had Quidditch.

"Well," Sirius chuckled as he and James sauntered over. "It's about time."
Peter smiled weakly, anticipating what was coming next, which was 15 minutes of teasing, despite him denying she was his girlfriend. Next were the taunts for Remus, who also hadn't had a girlfriend yet.

"I'm not ready for one," Remus protested. "I've got stuff going on, it wouldn't be fair."

"Oh come on mate! We're talking about one girl. She'll go hysterical when you break it up, but she'll get over it and you can move to the next in line."

Remus looked at him disbelievingly, marvelling at his total misunderstanding of girls. "Sirius, you have a strange view on relationships." Remus chuckled. "And if I did go out with a girl it would be because I liked her. I wouldn't dump her just because she got too boring."

"And you say I have a strange view," Sirius muttered before saying in a louder voice, "You get a great variety that way."

Remus rolled his eyes. "I have too much respect for you," he mumbled.

James, sensing an argument headed, tried to stop it quickly.

"So Remus, if you could have a girlfriend, who would you ask?"

"Yeah, come on, who?" Peter squeaked, relieved to have the attention focussed away from him.

Sirius just looked at him expectantly.

"I – uh-"

"It's not Evans is it?" James asked in shock and disgust. "Because you two spend a lot of time together."

"No! We're just friends; she's like a sister to me. But there is someone…"

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Christmas was approaching fast. The Great Hall was decorated with the largest Christmas tree ever seen. All sorts of magical decorations adorned the tree, making it an enchanting scene.

All the Quidditch practicing was paying off, the team started to resemble an actual team rather than a bunch of people playing the sport for fun. Sadiron was convinced that by the time the match came around they would be good enough. The team was tired but, as the last day of term came, Sadiron decided to reward his team with the day off for their hard work. The professors decided that, because their pupils were too excited to concentrate on their work, that they could have the day for packing or, if they were staying, "study time".

Remus took the opportunity to see Lily. He hadn't spoken to her for a few weeks and he felt a little guilty about it. He knew that she, one of the very few that would, would spend the day wisely, studying in the library. That was where he headed.

Lily was indeed sat in the library, books spread around her, quill scratching at the parchment mindlessly. She might be sat in there, but that didn't mean she was working, far from it her mind kept drifting she'd overheard Remus saying the other day. Something hurtful.

"Hey, little flower," a voice spoke behind her.

'Think of the devil,' she thought miserably as she ignored him but could see him moving to sit in the chair opposite.

"Lily, hello," he said waving a hand in her face.

"Remus," she said harshly. She glanced up to see him looking slightly taken aback. "Nice of you to come visit your little sister," she spat.

His eyes opened widely. "You heard that?" he asked surprised.

She nodded, her eyes trained on the quill which was moving from left to right on the parchment. It seemed to be writing something.

Though she couldn't see it, he was frowning. "I thought we'd established that we were nothing more than friends?" He asked bewildered.

She nodded again, this time though she looked at him. "We did, and I'm fine with that," she was annoyed that he thought that highly of himself. "But I thought I meant something to you, something more than just a little sister who you never speak to. We're supposed to be best friends Remus."

"We are," he said boldly.

"Are we? I don't think we are. When was the last time you spoke to me?"

He looked down; she was pleased to note that he at least had the decency to be ashamed.

"And I know you're busy with the Quidditch training and everything, but surely you can find a bit of time to talk to me? I mean it's not hard to find a spare minute. Unless you really do just see me as a little sister? Someone to speak to when you're bored or your friends have deserted you, just someone to check in with."

"Of course I don't. You, Lily Jacqueline Evans, are my best friend in the entire world. You are the one I entrust my deepest secrets to, the one who will always be there for me and vice versa, no matter what happens." He paused, taking her hand, she was tempted to pull it back, but didn't. He lifted her face so that they were eye level. "I promise you, that from this day forth I shall make it my mission to speak to you once a day, even if it is only for a minute."

Lily laughed, all the anger she felt melted away. She was being stupid; she knew she was, so what if he thought of her as a sister? Some siblings were close, not all of them were like her and her sister.

"I'm sorry for being a total toad to you," she said sadly.

He smiled, "You, a toad? Like that's any different to normal."

She hit him playfully on the shoulder. "You've only just got in my good books again," she warned. "Don't push your luck."

He laughed. "Well, since I'm back in those good books, and I now have my best friend back, can I tell you something?"

"Sure," she said, frowning a little at the way he was acting, there was a big grin on his face.

"I'm going to ask Marie out."

Lily was shocked, she tried to hide it but she was. "Really?" She had never really thought of him being with anyone, and she didn't really seem his type. Where was all this coming from?

"Really." He said his grin growing.

Lily spent the next half hour being bored witless, whilst fighting her jealousy, at being told all about how much he liked Marie and why he did. 'I already know this! I share a dorm with her for Merlin's sake!' She thought silently, wanting so much to shout them at him.

A clock chimed 11 and she jumped up, Remus stopped talking mid-flow and looked at her curiously. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I…need to go pack."

"I thought you were staying here for Christmas."

She shrugged. "I changed my mind, alright?"

He nodded. "Hold on, I'll come with you." But she was already gone, sprinting down the corridors, leaving all her stuff behind.

A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'll post again at the weekend, hope this little one is ok for now while I try and think of a way to bring my ideas together instead of just having random little things happening.